St. Catharines man arrested on child pornography charges following investigation

In September 2024, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit launched an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of children.

On September 10, 2024, detectives from the NRPS ICE Unit and the Technological Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a private residence in St. Catharines and seized numerous devices capable of storing electronic data. Harry Michael Ward, age 22, of St. Catharines was arrested and is now facing the following charges:

• 2 counts of possession of child pornography
• 2 charges of accessing child pornography
• 2 charges of distributing child pornography

Ward was held in custody following his arrest and is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on September 10, 2024, at the Robert SK Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.

Online platforms that allow like-minded users to contact minors, create, share and store child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are widespread on the Internet. Perpetrators who attempt to lure children behind anonymous accounts on various platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.

For more information on how parents and caregivers can help keep children safe online, CLICK HERE

The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into child sexual abuse crimes in collaboration with Ontario Police Services and international partners. This research initiative is made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Citizens who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara via the Internet or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to individuals who contact the program with information leading to an arrest.

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